LSO 2012-2013 Schedule
Important Information for LSO Musicians

Season Kickoff Meeting
Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012: Online, virtual meeting to introduce the season, hosted by Oriol Sans, who is returning for his third season as music director! To take part in the online meeting, go to https://connect.umms.med.umich.edu/lso12 from any computer at 7:00 pm on Sunday, Sept. 9. There is a chat window for questions.

If you are not yet on an LSO mailing list, please fill out the webform now so that you can get all updates.

Auditions: School of Music, North Campus

Sept. 10, 11, 12: Evening auditions from 6:00-9:30 pm, Main Moore Bldg. map
Sept. 15: Saturday mid-day auditions – only if you absolutely can't make it on a weeknight. Held at Stearns Bldg, just up the hill. map

NOTE: There will be no other auditions besides these four days, except for percussion, who will audition on Sept. 16 at 9:00 pm at the first rehearsal.

Before signing up for an audition, first check to make sure that you can make the Jan. 30 concert. To sign up, visit: www.mysignup.com/lso12 and enter the password LSO (in capital letters). You will see a screen with audition information, and then you can scroll down to select a time for your audition. To sign up, just click "My audition" to the right of the time you want on the day you want.

The system will then ask you to fill out some basic information, including an "undo code" that you can use if you need to come back to the page and cancel or reschedule your audition. Don't forget to write down the time you select, and your undo code. If you do need to reschedule your audition, cancel your original slot first.

Please e-mail orchestra@umich.edu if you have any questions or encounter any difficulties.

All prospective LSO members are expected to audition, even if you have played with the LSO before. The four factors that the music director will weigh include (in no particular order) playing ability, orchestral need, prior LSO membership, and U-M life sciences affiliation. The final decision on participation is made by the music director. In the past, everyone who has auditioned on a string instrument has been able to play in the LSO. On the other hand, given the limited wind spots in an orchestra and the high interest level (for example, we have had 30+ auditioning on flute), it is unlikely we will be able to take all wind players. Interest level for each instrument changes from year to year, so we encourage everyone interested to audition. In the case where there are a limited number of spots, and there exist members of the U-M life sciences community who can fill those spots, they will take precedence over those not affiliated with the U-M life sciences community.

During auditions, you will be asked to play a short 2-3 minute excerpt (of your choosing) from a piece that you have prepared.

We also ask that you prepare the following short excerpt (click on the link below that corresponds to your instruments to download the corresponding PDF file):

LSO Financial Needs
Costs have gone up substantially ($4000 more per year) for renting Hill Auditorium, and we will likely have to rent several pieces of music for the January concert.

We are asking members to contribute $50 toward the LSO at the start of the year, or $25 per semester, to help us cover the orchestra's expenses.

LSO Handbook
LSO handbooks will be distributed at the first rehearsal. If you will not be able to attend, and you need music and a handbook, please find Angela Noble at a rehearsal. A printable version of the handbook will be available here soon. Rehearsal information is always most current on the website.

LSO Attendance Policy
The LSO realizes that members of the life sciences community are extremely busy; however, accepting a position in the LSO also means accepting a responsibility to your fellow musicians to learn your music, attend rehearsals, and attend concerts. If you are worried about potential conflicts with LSO rehearsals and concerts, please contact us at orchestra@umich.edu before auditioning. Regular unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the orchestra.

Additional Ensembles
If you are interested in finding other ensembles at U-M or in the Ann Arbor area, click here to get a list of amateur ensembles.

Questions?
Email the executive committee at orchestra@umich.edu.

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